UPHILL BATTLE (Cato)

Two: Ben loves notebooks

The train was fantastic.

Colossal inside and out, and so posh that I felt like a pig in a chicken coop. I could see my reflection on the doorknob when we passed. Ben looked equally shocked, but when I tried to catch his eye he shot me a dirty look. Around us pranced Capitol people, rushing up and down the halls.

"Come, come!" Aemilia bounced on her feet, " Were going to meet your mentors! "

Ben grimaced, "Who are they this year? "

"Jackson for you, Jenny for Rhea!" Aemilia squealed to him. I sighed, and desperately tried to recall who they were. I ran face after face through my head, but abandoned my mental search as we came to the doors of the dining room.

Aemilia straightened her hair, still neon orange, and pushed the doors open, leading us through into an extravagant dining carriage. It was incredibly well developed, and impossibly fancy, with wooden flooring the colour of sand, circular tables covered with silky white tablecloths, and hanging from the ceiling, a luxurious crystal chandelier.

Despite all of this, as we approached a table, the two people there looked fairly bored. The first was a muscular, middle-aged man, with tanned skin and long brown hair in a ponytail. He had dark eyes, and a scar on his jaw. He wore a white shirt, and black tie and trousers. Jackson Spidell.

The second, and elegant middle-aged woman, also with tan skin. Her hair was thick and frizzy, but somehow tamed, and her eyes were mocha brown. She wore a mint green coat, open to reveal a simple white top and fashionable blue jeans. Jenny Maddox.

I recognised them now, tuning out Aemilia as she began to introduce Ben and Jackson. I caught Jenny's eye, and she smiled. I returned it as our neon clad escort swiveled to introduce us.

"Jenny, this is Rhea, our wonderful female tribute this year! Rhea, meet Jenny, our spectacular victor of the 69th Hunger Games!"

Jenny held out her hand, and I took it in a strong handshake. Jenny grinned wearily, "I'm here to stop you from dying."

Charming.

"Nice to meet you." I said, she nodded to me.

"So anyway, let's go. I want to show you your rooms!" Aemilia chirped, springing into action. Her beehive bounced as she walked. Ben and I followed her, both entertained by the neon orange curls which jumped about on her head with each step.

The hallways were huge. High ceilings, pretty patterns on the walls, fuzzy, brown carpet stretching out. Aemilia stopped at the first door, "This one's yours, Ben!"
Without a word, my District partner split off from us, quickly pushing open the door and entering. As the metal swung shut behind him, I caught the words 'District Ten Male' engraved in the centre.

Aemilia tugged on my arm like a stroppy child, pulling me across the hall. Opposite Ben's room, a matching door, only the engraving read 'District Ten Female' instead.

"I'll leave you to it!" My escort was gone in one move of her puffy dress, and her heels clacked off down the corridor. I turned back to the door, and imposing as it was, tentatively pushed it open.

Inside was interesting. The room was spacious, much more that one would think considering we were only on the train, not even in the Capitol yet. To one side was a luxurious double bed, covered with soft sheets unfamiliar to my fingers as I brushed over them.

There were multiple oak cabinets, and set into the wall, a gigantic window, with glass so clean it was like it wasn't there at all, and rimmed with black metal.

The walls were plain, but painted a beautiful shade of sunset yellow. Nothing like Aemilia's dress, thank god. The floor was panelled with pale wood in thin strips, and dotted with fluffy rugs in various gentle shades.

Impulsively, I reached down and slipped my cream flats off, and sat myself down on one of the rugs. I scrunched my toes up on the fluffy material, soft on the calloused soles of my feet. Then I got up, and threw myself onto the bed. The sheets billowed around me with the force, and I sank into the cosy fabric.

I realised I was still wearing my reaping dress - a summer dress the colour of ivory. I scanned the room and immediately found a wardrobe, filled with outfit upon outfit, each more ridiculous than the last. I sighed, sifting through until I located some suitable clothes.

I ended up walking into the dining carriage in a pair of navy trousers, and a white shirt. I let my hair down, and had showered before dressing so that I looked presentable. Good enough for the evening, at least.

Jenny turned around as I sat on the chair next to her, "You're just in time - we're watching the reapings."

I lifted my head to the television. Currently playing, Caesar Flickerman sat next to Claudius Templesmith. They were chatting about something or other, but stopped after a moment and began to talk about the reapings.

A notepad slipped into my lap, and I looked up to see Ben, who murmured, "Jackson says to note down everyone you think could be a threat." I nodded.

First up, was District One. Both of them were scribbled into my notebook. The boy was tall and gangly, with short brown hair and muscular arms. The girl was shorter, with blonde curls and obvious good looks. She giggled and flirted with their male escort.

Next, was District Two. Also both noted down. The girl was very short, and angry looking, with dark hair and lots of freckles. Despite her height, she was clearly a threat.

The boy though, stood out more. He was eighteen years old, incredibly tall and far more muscular that the boy from One. He had spiky, blonde hair, and striking blue eyes. Even from a distance, and on film, I could see that he would win. A kid like that, with such a murderous smile, could win the games with ease. I shivered.

I zoned out for most of the rest, only putting down the girl from Five. She had a mysterious, clever, fox-like feel about her. I had a feeling that most would underestimate the ginger haired female.

When it reached us, I cringed. My face was expressionless on camera, thank goodness, and I looked fairly calm, but I did not seem to stand out. Thankfully.

Eleven had a hulking boy, with skin like coal and a scowl that could split the sky in half. He was noted. The girl, though, made me wince internally. She was only twelve, young and sweet, sporting gently frizzy hair and doe eyes. No one volunteered for her. In the corner of my eye, Jenny frowned.

Twelve surprised me. The girl volunteered from her little sister. Katniss Everdeen was going to be strong, no doubt.

When it ended, Jackson turned off the Tv and looked to me and Ben, "So, who do you think?" He said, in his deep, gruff voice.

"One, Two, Eleven," Ben read out. Jackson nodded, and locked his gaze on me.

"One, Two, Five, Eleven and Twelve." Jenny nodded at that.

"Why Five? I get Twelve but... why Five?" Ben asked, clutching his notebook to his chest. I swear, he loved the thing.

"She's clever." I simply replied. Jenny smiled.

"And so are you."

Chapter two is done! Rhea had her first impression of Cato, and Ben is grumpy. He also loves notebooks. Just because.

By the way, this is based off the movies, so he doesn't have a limp. Also, in his tribute portrait he looked grumpy, so that where that came from.

Personally, I would like to note that he doesn't like Rhea very much. So much for first impressions.